Novel-novel oleh Achille

Something in Naomi's expression went dark at that.She'd organized every single one of Julian's medications herself. There was no version of events where it just went missing.Still she couldn't quite believe Ethan would lie about something involving one of the kids' health. She forced a little more patience into her voice. "I know it's in there. Are you sure you actually looked properly?""I checked three times. It's not there." Ethan's voice hardened. "Naomi, he's running a real fever right now, and you're not even coming to check on him? Some mother.""Bring Lily and come home. Take care of him tonight, at least. I'll let everything else go, for now."Naomi almost laughed at the sheer nerve of it.Even now, he expects me to just come back and slot right into the role of the household nanny?"Ethan, do you genuinely think the world revolves around you?" Her patience finally snapped clean through. "I'm not coming back. Julian's yours to handle from here on. I'm only bringing Lily."S

Sebastian's dark eyes tracked the three figures deep in conversation across the street.Marcus wore an easy, warm smile, reaching out to touch Naomi's head affectionately. He took Lily's hand naturally, steering her onto the safer side of the sidewalk, away from traffic.The whole scene radiated an easy, unmistakable warmth.Something shifted behind Sebastian's eyes.Didn't Naomi just have some blowup with Ethan Blackwood? Since when is she this close with Marcus?His expression darkened, doubt creeping into his thoughts about whatever this relationship actually was.His phone rang. He answered without looking away. "Yeah?""Mr. Cole, a package arrived for you. It's been delivered properly."The call ended before he could respond.Sebastian's brow furrowed. What package?By the time he looked back up, the three of them had disappeared around the corner. He let it go and drove back to the estate.The moment he walked in, his housekeeper handed him a parcel. "Sir, this arrived for you."

Meanwhile, at Sinclair Holdings.Marcus turned his phone over in his hand, thinking back to the last time he'd brought up the engagement with Naomi.Her reaction hadn't been what he'd expected.If she genuinely has no interest in remarrying, there's no reason to let Sebastian Cole off easy.His sister deserved better than anyone the world had to offer.The Sinclair name carried more than enough weight on its own. They didn't need a marriage alliance to secure anything.If Naomi wanted for nothing, the family's resources alone could keep her comfortable for ten lifetimes over.As it happened, Sebastian wanted out of the engagement too. Marcus decided, begrudgingly, to let it go.But if he was going to be honest with himself Sebastian owed Naomi something for all those wasted years attached to his name. As her brother, it was Marcus's job to squeeze some kind of compensation out of him on her behalf.He scrolled through his contacts and dialed.It rang a few times before connecting.Mar

"Too obvious," Sebastian said, shutting down Miles's suggestion outright.Whoever this was clearly wanted to stay hidden. A direct meetup request would spook them instantly.He pulled out his phone instead, opened the messaging app, and sent an electronic contract to the contact saved under "A. Hart."He typed out a short message to go with it, then set the phone down, satisfied.Miles leaned over, glancing at the screen, eyebrows lifting. "Get the mailing address for the signed contract, and you get the real identity behind 'A. Hart.' Sebastian, that's genuinely clever."Naomi had just gotten Lily settled back at the apartment when her phone buzzed with a new message.The "busy" client."Lily, Mom's got some work to finish up can you get started on your homework for a bit?" Naomi said gently, pinching her daughter's cheek.Lily nodded obediently and disappeared into her room with her backpack.Satisfied her daughter was settled, Naomi pulled up the message.The client wanted to physi

"How dare you talk to your brother like that. You lost because you weren't good enough, and now you've gone and stolen Julian's trophy on top of it. Hand it back this instant"Grandma Blackwood reached for the trophy in Lily's arms. Naomi stepped between them before she could get a hand on it."Before you say another word, someone should probably verify who actually won this competition." Naomi's tone stayed flat, expressionless.Grandma Blackwood scoffed. "I already thought little of your background. Now it seems you can't even manage to be a decent mother to two children. Not only have you neglected Julian all this time, you've let Lily run wild enough to steal from her own brother."As far as she was concerned, Lily had always been the disposable one a sickly little girl who'd never amount to much under the guidance of some small-town nobody.Of course Julian had won the championship. He was clearly the sharper of the two.That other one had been fragile since birth. The fact she'd

Julian had expected Naomi to come find him, the way she always used to.Back when he sulked, she'd always been the one to coax him out of it even on the countless occasions he'd been the one in the wrong to begin with.He waited. And waited. Naomi never showed. She was too busy wiping the sweat off Lily's face after a long afternoon of practice.Julian stood there, stunned, something hollow settling in his chest as he watched from a distance. Eventually he pressed his lips together.Whatever. She's just some country girl. I don't care about her.That evening, Naomi brought Lily home and made her a proper dinner.Right as they sat down, Marcus video-called. Naomi picked up.Lily leaned over, curious. "Mom, who's this uncle?"Naomi realized, with a small jolt, that she'd never actually told Lily about the Sinclairs.She smoothed a hand over her daughter's hair. "This is your uncle my brother. Once things settle down, I'll take you to meet him and the rest of the family properly, okay?"